Putin to Grant Pardon to War Criminals in Russia, According to Navalny's Wife
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump, the wife of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, has called for the immediate release of political prisoners in Russia.
As of August 2025, there are approximately 1,024 political prisoners in Russia, according to the Russian human rights organization Memorial's political prisoners project. This total includes a significant number of Crimean political prisoners, with 277 reported to be held specifically related to Crimean issues, including 157 Crimean Tatars.
Navalnaya, along with other opposition figures, has consistently condemned the Russian government's crackdown on political dissent and demands the liberation of political prisoners. In a video message, she urged the government to release political prisoners as part of broader demands for political freedom and reform.
Navalnaya highlighted the harsh authoritarian practices of the government, condemning the repression of critics, independent activists, and peaceful opponents of the Kremlin. She views these imprisonments as politically motivated attempts to silence dissent, especially in the context of criticism of the war in Ukraine.
Navalnaya's call for the release of political prisoners emphasizes the ongoing human rights issues in Russia under Putin's leadership. She believes that taking the step to release political prisoners would be a significant historical event.
The meeting between Putin and Trump is scheduled to take place in the evening of Central European time. It is expected to discuss paths to a ceasefire, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine war. However, Navalnaya expressed skepticism that the summit will lead to an end to the Russian invasion.
Navalnaya intends to continue her husband Alexei Navalny's fight against Putin's authoritarian system from exile abroad. She views the summit between Trump and Putin as a potential opportunity for real results that could go down in history.
The lists of political prisoners, according to Navalnaya, are available, suggesting a potential for a quick release. The video message from Navalnaya includes photos of some political prisoners, drawing attention to their plight under Putin's leadership.
The meeting between Putin and Trump is the first since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine nearly three and a half years ago. The summit presents an opportunity for discussions on resolving the conflict, but whether it will lead to significant change remains to be seen. Navalnaya's call for the release of political prisoners is a clear statement against Putin's policies and actions regarding political dissent. Her continued activism against Putin's authoritarian system highlights the ongoing opposition to Putin's policies within Russia and abroad.
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